We had a great day with so many others affected in some way by a food allergy or multiple food allergies. It’s really nice to know that we’re not alone, and that we all have the support of family and friends to enable us to get to the walk and work to make a difference in all of our lives.

Upon arrival, we did many things in a special event tent before the opening ceremony. Several “top-8-free” food samples & small toys were handed out. The kids colored some food allergy related pictures, decorated some foam teal pumpkins, made a beaded necklace & bracelet (Ian even threaded some beads all by himself!), danced with a DJ, played with masks in a photo booth, and just mingled with people who “get” it.

Molly also had an EMT help her wrap “Miss Daisy” (a stuffed bunny/dog/thing that was Bethany’s when she was little) in some gauze bandages, apply a regular band-aid, and administer a practice EpiPen auto-injector with the Teddy Bear Clinic. She did really good! She may need to help me or any of her friends some day.

We listened to a speech by that very same brave young lady about her struggles she has had as someone with 15 allergies that can all lead to anaphylaxis. More important than the struggles are the many things she has learned to overcome, the incredible friends she has made, and how well she has learned to adapt while moving away from home and going to school at Pitt. She has used an EpiPen, and it has saved her life. She leads a normal active life and is dedicating it to service to others by being an EMT!

Along our walk, there were many food allergy facts on signs throughout the zoo. We used them to start conversations with the kids about how Molly has outgrown her allergy to eggs, how I will not outgrow mine, and how they will probably have a few friends in school with food allergies and that they need to be good friends to those kids and help them avoid their allergens and get the proper help quickly if needed!

It’s amazing that last year Molly knew at 2 years old to ask if a food item contained things like eggs, mayonnaise, or ranch dressing. She understands now that daddy can’t eat shellfish. She even pointed out the (incredibly creepy spiny) lobsters in the aquarium & said “You can’t eat that.” I know Ian is a bit young to understand, but I don’t think it hurts to throw all the information out there and see what eventually sticks.

In the zoo, we had the incredible opportunity to get a photo with Victoria the elephant, pet (and get liked by) a deer, and pet some goats and sheep. Ian loved the peacock roaming around, and I think he almost touched him. Ha ha. We also talked about how similar yet different Butterscotch is to all the big cats among many other animal facts that we have read in books & on the signage there in the park.

How this will possibly turn into backlash against the food allergy community.

How for me, luckily, I recently got an EpiPen 2-pack that was covered because we met our deductible already for the year & we have great coverage with an HSA.

How people read an article on the internet and spout-off about something which they know virtually nothing about and won’t care about again in 2 months.

But, if you’re interested (even mildly), you have already read those things and made up your own mind.

My initial reaction was to pull out of the FARE walk for Food Allergy due to Mylan’s sponsorship. But, that won’t do anyone any good. We still need research. We still need advocacy. We still need awareness. We still need a cure.

I have to trust that in the midst of public outcry, Bresch will be held to task. I can hope that the rest of the good people at Mylan don’t suffer. I currently refuse to revel in the failures of others, even if it is at their own hand.

I know money is tight. I know there are a million causes worth donating to. I know there are walks for everything these days. So, I understand what I’m asking when I ask you to consider a donation to FARE in support of our walk.

My shellfish allergy is pretty severe, but I have learned to navigate life successfully with it. It would be nice for people to not have to worry about these things some day. Molly has recently outgrown an allergy to eggs, greatly in part to incredible pediatricians, local allergists involved in the FARE walk, and their advice as it is informed by the latest research and techniques. There is still a chance that either of my kids could develop allergies later. My shellfish allergy didn’t really manifest until I was in 3rd or 4th grade.

My plea isn’t the standard. I know not everyone has $50 or even $25 to give to a cause that may not even affect their lives directly. I’m asking for $10 to go to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). I’d rather get a bunch of small donations from a whole lot of people.

This is how my friends/followers/whatever break down on social media, and what the total would amount to if everyone managed to donate $10:

All of those except Tumblr are well over our team goal of $600. All of them total would be $28,570.00. I know there’s some obvious overlap, so that’s not a real number if everyone only donated $10, but it’s also not ridiculous.

If you’re reading this and don’t have $10 to spare, or your donation money is going to a cause closer to your heart, that’s cool too. Just reading raises awareness and that is also extremely important. You can find all kinds of food-allergy related rants and information here on my blog. Sharing on your social media platform of choice would be really cool too.

Like this:

Jesse Laz from the band Locksley is participating in a walk to fight Brain Cancer. I think it should be obvious to Ernie and the Berts friends & fans that it’s an issue close to our hearts. I urge you to support Jesse for this walk. Do it for Jesse’s friends and family, and do it for our friend & fearless leader, Erin “Ernie” Payne.

Erin was the only person more vocal than me when I was raising money for the food allergy walk, & even put his money where is mouth was, as well as providing special edition T-shirts.

Jesse is trying to reach $17,000 in 17 days. It’s a lofty goal, and every donation counts. He’ll press a special vinyl if & only if the goal is met. So please, donate if you can, or at least share the link like mad.

Like this:

That’s right, Bethany & I are still taking donations for the Food Allergy Walk in Pittsburgh. It’s happening this Sunday, Sept. 18th at 11:00 am. You can make a secure online tax-deductible donation for either of us, to help us meet our prospective goals, or you can hook us up with a check made out to FAAN.

The Walk in Pittsburgh will feature lots activities, such as: face painting, balloon artist, trackless train, mad science and inflatables. We will have a musical performance by Kyle Dine and be joined by Pittsburgh Panthers mascot ROC.

We look forward to once again welcoming Sally Wiggin and Stephen Cropper. Following the Walk, will be Q&A session with allergists from AGH and UPMC who have volunteered their time. Rep. Matt Smith will join us to share information about the new EpiPen laws in PA.

You can get one of these limited edition T-shirts for donating $50 or more, thanks to Erin “Ernie” Payne: